We are happy winning division titles and that is it.   Maybe the Angels will continue winning division titles in a four team American West and get bounced in the first round of the Playoffs. We have so many fans here who are myopic. Thinking we are fine and we will win with what we got. What we have is an awful bullpen and erratic starters. Having Halladay with Lackey would of gave us a strong chance to beat Boston or Ny, that is if we make the play offs. Texas can still win this division. The Angels have a brutal road trip in September- NY, Boston and Texas.  

1. Our team is not as strong as last years team.

     Pitching last year was a lot stronger especially the  bullpen.

2. As one fan stated here on this site, would you feel safe with a one run lead in Boston in the 8th inning? NO

3. Pitching usually wins a 5 game play off series.

     Halladay, Lackey, Weaver-  that would be three darn good pitchers in a 5 game series. 

Finally, we have too many infielders, why not move one for pitching? 

Ayber, Izturis, Kendrick, Wood, Figgins, 

1 Would you trade for Roy Halladay? and if so who would you put in a package for him?

2. If not Halladay, would there be another player you would want to bring in? A starter? Middle relief? a hitter? If so what players would you be willing to give up?

3. Would you rather have a starter? set up man? Or a hitter?

4. Your not interested in making a trade and will not make a deal before the trade deadline  ( Bill Stoneman?) haha

My belief is Halladay could get us out of the first round of the playoffs if we can get by Texas. Halladay would be our #1, Lackey would be our #2  Weaver or Santana # 3 in a short playoff series. The only untouchable would be Wood, which may be a problem. I would throw in Kendrick, Trumbo, Santana or Saunders, hate to give up a lefty and a minor leaguer of their choice. Would this work?

Hopefully, Escobar is back son and can be a middle relief, set up man, but shoot it would not shock me if he does not pitch this year. 

Out of the top 100 players in baseball right now, only four Angels are on the list. Three of these Angels on the list will be free agents next year.

LINK to STORY

34. Torii Hunter- Having a great year

54. John Lackey- One spot behind Jason Bay. Lackey and Figgins should be the Angels priority in the off season.

57. Bobby Abreu- His season has surprised me, wasn't a fan of signing a 35 year old, but he has been solid.

62. Chone Figgins-  395 OBP - very good lead off man, would like to see him play 2nd next year of an outfield position.

I still believe Lackey is one of the top 5-7 pitchers in the Majors when healthy. He is solid and is at his best during the pennant race. I hope we can sign him, he is an Angel and I would like to see him in an Angel uniform for ever. When healthy he eats up innings and has an era below 3. 

Also, for the trade deadline, I think we still need a middle reliever or set up man. Adding another starter like Holliday or Haren would really help. I would also like to see one big bat added as I believe in the playoffs, we still need a powerful bat. What scares me is that if Vladdy or Hunter is off in a playoff series we are done. Where as Boston or NY can afford to maybe have their two best players not swinging the bat well in the playoffs and still when a series. We still lack power.

Now, if you have nothing positive to say, just do not reply, it would be nice if all of us true ANGEL fans would get along and be civil on this website, starting with Rev.

Angel fans please fill me in as I am in Vegas scouting for the NBA summer league and has been living in a gym since Saturday. What is the rotation that MS set up for after the All-Star Break? I looked on ESPN.COM and it shows Santana pitching tonight. Do not get it? He has been awful, and cannot get out of the 4th or 5th inning lately. Is this true? Also, I saw on Halos Heaven Maddon apologized for Figgins and Fuentes. Was Was Figgins a late add on for someone? 

Comma man

Ervin Santana is one of my favorite pitchers for the Angels, especially last year. But, 1-3 with a 7.47 ERA and tonight is not pretty. 5 runs given up in the first 3 innings. As I have  stated earlier, Lackey will be fine, but I am concerned about Santana. Saunders is also going through a Sophomore slump as he was hit hard in his last start at Texas. The question for Angel fans, is there a concern for Santana? Or will he turn it around this year?

3 areas need to be addressed before trade deadline, in which I think we will be grateful if one is addressed.

1. Bullpen (set up man) 

2. Another starter? Especially with what I see from Santana, and how much can we really get out of Palmer and O' Sullivan?

3. Still would like to see a power bat, as Vladdy suddenly has no power.

I think Dan Haren would be a fine addition to our staff, does any one know when he will be a free agent? I hope we keep Wood and do not move him in any trade.

Ok, I posted about a month and a half ago, then  Rev Halo Fan and his followers jumping on me for defending Lackey and asking what could happen in the feature with four middle infielders.  As I recalled Matt Welch posted that Lackey had a poor ending to the 2008 season. I posted, he pitched well in the playoffs and nearly tossed a no-hitter in Boston. LAckey will be fine, he just needs a couple of starts as he did not have a spring training. Then we had Rev and his followers jumping on me, different opinions are not endorsed on this board. I do thank the very few who has stood up for me and has brought the same very point up.

I posted we had four middle infielders, Kendrick, Ayber, Maicer, and Wood. What will happen, will one be moved? Will Kendrick be traded? Well the post is removed, not shocking, and in the post, Rev called me an ASS.  Good question I thought. Rev, why is the post removed?  Clicking on my post, the page says 404: the page you are looking for does not exist.   

In summary, looks like Scoscia, took care of the four middle infielder problem, moving  Howie and Wood down. As for Lackey, one run today, and is pitching well. July and August I predict he will be one of the top 4 pitchers in the American League.  Im sure, Rev will remove this post or have some negative comment. An ANgel fan since 1979.

we have four middle infielders, who gets traded?

by Ca1IFORNIA ANGELS about 1 month ago

3 comments | 0 recs

That hurts, especially up 4-1.  Thought Lackey is getting back to form, but something has to be done with Shields. How many games has he lost the lead this year? Its time to move him, I am scared when Spier and him are on the mound. Escobar will hopefully be our set up man the next couple of months.Hope we can win today and take the series. We will have to get off t a good start and score some runs.  Chad B. is a very good pitcher.

Not me, too bad, he pitched another great game. Seven inning, he gave up four hits and one run. I was hoping he would get his second complete game in a row, once he was pulled in the 8th, Im sure no one was surprised Boston tied the game. I can hear all of you now and tell me I am out of my mind. Didnt Roy Holiday throw another complete game today?  Weaver cruising through seven and out great leader has to pull him, another great job handling the pitchers. We have the highest ERA in the Majors for our bullpen.

Scoscia, what is the deal with your stance on not allowing your ptchers to throw complete games? 

Rod Carew played seven years with the Angels, six times he was an All-Star as an Angel. First five years Rod hit over 300 and the last two hit 295 and 280. In comparison to Tim Salmon, how many years was he an All-Star. Plus how does an ANgel whose number is retired by the franchise #17 on all time Angels?

RevHalofan, or any fans have a stats on most All-Star appearances as an Angel? Im curious to know which Angel has had the most All-Stat appearances as An Angel.